skeleton

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skel|eton /sk'elɪtən/ (skeletons)
1 [N-COUNT]
Your skeleton is the framework of bones in your body.
...a human skeleton.
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
A skeleton staff is the smallest number of staff necessary in order to run an organization or service.
Only a skeleton staff remains to show anyone interested around the site.
3 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
The skeleton of something such as a building or a plan is its basic framework.
Only skeletons of buildings remained.
4 [PHRASE] Ns inflect
If you say that someone has a skeleton in the closet, or in British English a skeleton in the cupboard, you mean that they are keeping secret a bad or embarrassing fact about themselves.
Mr Worthing is this election's Mr Nice Guy, without any skeletons in his cupboard.skel|eton key (skeleton keys)
[N-COUNT]
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.

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